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Ellie gasps, having had no clue because Sienna kept it quiet, not wanting to stress her out. And while I agree with her logic, I also think she needs to know how serious this is and that whoever is responsible isn’t only going after her—they’re coming for us all.
Thankfully, Ellie lets me take her back to my place, but once we’re there, she shuts herself in her room, claiming to be tired, when really, she’s just trying to avoid me. But I accept it for now, content with knowing she’s under my roof and safe.
After I call Micah and Sienna to let them know everything that transpired—and promise Sienna she can visit tomorrow—I knock on Ellie’s door to check on her. She might not want anything to do with me, but she hit her head less than a week ago, so she isn’t going to stop me from making sure she’s okay.
When she doesn’t answer, I try the doorknob. It turns, so I peek in, finding her curled into a ball asleep. The last time I saw her in this bed was the night we spent together before brunch. The side I fell asleep on is empty, and I probably shouldn’t do it, but I kick my shoes off and climb into the bed, maintaining a little space between us.
Only she must sense my presence because she cracks a single eye open. “I told you to go away,” she murmurs groggily.
“I know.” I brush a few wayward strands of hair out of her face. “But I had to make sure this is real.”
“What?” she asks, opening both eyes and furrowing her brow.
“That you’re here, under my roof. Alive and safe.” I swallow, and the ball of emotion gets caught in my throat. “When I sawyou fall...” I release a harsh breath, unable to hold back my emotions. “You were so still, lifeless. I thought you were dead.” I palm her face, needing to feel her warm flesh. “I don’t want to live in a world where you’re not in it, Ellie. I’m falling in love with you.”
I didn’t plan to say those words, but the second they’re out, I realize I don’t regret them in the slightest. I knew I was falling for her, but the truth is, I’ve already fallen hard.
“Lincoln,” she breathes, “you can’t say stuff like that. It’s not fair.”
“Why? It’s the truth.”
“You’re only saying that because you thought I was dead.”
“No, I’m saying it because I do.” I bridge the gap between us and run my hand down her curves to her ass, then pull her toward me. “I love you, kitten, and I know it’s hard for you to believe me since I managed to fuck everything up. I allowed societal views and my brother’s disapproval to get inside my head and dictate my actions. But I don’t give a shit about our age difference. I felt the pull between us on Valentine’s Day, and it’s only grown stronger since then.”
“That’s just chemistry,” she argues, refusing to make shit easy on me. But I’m okay with that because she deserves to have someone fight for her.
“Part of it, yeah. But I also love the friendship we’ve been developing. I love the way you fiercely protect the one’s you care about. The way you already love our baby.”
I cup the side of her face, and when she leans into it and sighs, my hope is renewed that she’s going to forgive me. “You’ve been through some major shit in your life, but instead of letting it keep you down, you’ve risen. You’re the strongest person I know.”
“My sister used to say that men are good with pretty words, but it’s their actions that show who they really are. If you want something between us, you’re going to need to show me.”
“Okay.” I nod in understanding. “I will. But since it’s late, and we’re both exhausted, I was hoping I could just hold you and our baby tonight. I almost lost you both.”
She stares at me for several moments before she turns her back on me. I assume that’s her way of telling me it’s not happening, but then she reaches back and grabs my hand, pulling my arm around her and placing it on her protruding belly. She snuggles against me, and I lay my head on the pillow, sliding my other arm under her, nuzzling my face into her neck, and inhaling her vanilla scent.
Within minutes, she’s asleep, her soft snores the only sound in the otherwise quiet room. I remain awake, holding her tight, thanking God for protecting her and our unborn baby. Then, I think of all the ways I plan to show Ellie that I love her.
“Stupid thing.Does there really need to be this many buttons on a damn remote? Why can’t you just have the ones that are necessary?”
I chuckle, watching Ellie bitch at the remote for a few seconds before I take pity on her and pluck it out of her hand.
“Hey! I was using that.”
“You were yelling at it.” I drop onto the couch and then reach out and bring Ellie down with me. She falls into my side, and when she tries to move away, I wrap my arm around her waist, holding her firmly so she can’t get away.
When I woke up this morning, her side of the bed was empty. I jumped up and went in search of her, worried she took off, butcalmed down once I found her in the kitchen making herself a cup of coffee. She’s spent the morning avoiding me. I’ve caught her cleaning the bathroom, doing yoga, reading a book on the terrace, and speaking to her realtor about new places that have become available. I shut down her cleaning, watched her sexy ass do the downward dog, ordered her some new books that will arrive soon, and glared at her on the phone, which had her telling that asshole she’d call him back later.
It’s now early afternoon, and she must’ve run out of shit to do because she’s trying to watch a movie out here since my guest room doesn’t have a TV.
“So, what are we watching?” I ask, looking down at her.
“We?” she squeaks out. “Don’t you like, have work to do? I’m sure you have better things to do with your time than watch a movie with me.”
“Watching a movie with you sounds like the perfect way to spend my afternoon. Should we grab some snacks, though? I haven’t seen you eat.”
Just as I finish my sentence, her stomach growls, and she flushes a light shade of pink. “Food would be good. I think the gummy bear is—Oh my God!” She jumps up, her hand going to her belly.
